Virimi Vakatawa’s try early in the second half proved decisive as France took pole position in the race to win Group B by ending Scotland’s winning run at BT Murrayfield.
The visitors triumphed 22-15 in Edinburgh to exact revenge on Gregor Townsend’s side, who had won March’s Guinness Six Nations clash between the two countries.
The teams exchanged three-pointers in the first period, with Duncan Weir slotting four penalties for the hosts and Thomas Ramos responding with three for France along with a drop-goal for Matthieu Jalibert as half-time arrived with the score locked at 12-12.
Enter Vakatawa, who crossed for the decisive score having offered support on the shoulder of Vincent Rattez after the winger cut through the Scotland backline.
Weir and Ramos added another penalty apiece as France held on to record an impressive victory, meaning Fabien Galthie’s side will win the group if they can overcome Italy next weekend.
Scotland, who had won their previous five matches in the run-up to Sunday’s encounter, will next be in action over Finals weekend having seen their clash with Fiji cancelled due to the Covid outbreak in the Fijian camp.
